Treatments and Procedures
Whether you turn to Albany Gastroenterology for preventive services or for a digestive problem, we offer the most advanced diagnostic and therapeutic treatment options available.
Capsule Endoscopy
Capsule endoscopy is a procedure that uses a tiny wireless camera to take pictures of your digestive tract. A capsule endoscopy camera sits inside a vitamin-size capsule you swallow. As the capsule travels through your digestive tract, the camera takes thousands of pictures that are transmitted to a recorder you wear on a belt around your waist.
Colonoscopy
Colonoscopy is the visual examination of the large intestine (colon) using a lighted, flexible video endoscope. The colon begins in the right-lower abdomen and looks like a big question mark as it moves up and around the abdomen, ending in the rectum. It is 5 to 6 feet long. The colon has a number of functions including withdrawing water from the liquid stool that enters it so that a formed stool is produced.
Endoscopic Mucosal Resection
Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is performed with an endoscope, which is a long, narrow tube equipped with a light and video camera. During EMR of the upper digestive tract, the doctor passes this tube (endoscope) through your mouth into your esophagus, stomach or upper part of the small intestine (duodenum). To reach the colon, the doctor guides a scope up through the anus. The doctor then inserts instruments through the endoscope to perform the procedure.
Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection
Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an advanced surgical procedure using endoscopy to remove gastrointestinal tumors that have not entered the muscle layer. ESD may be done in the esophagus, stomach or colon. Either polypectomy or endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is beneficial for patients because of its low level of invasiveness.
Endoscopic Ultrasound
Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a minimally invasive procedure to assess digestive (gastrointestinal) and lung diseases. A special endoscope uses high-frequency sound waves to produce detailed images of the lining and walls of your digestive tract and chest, nearby organs such as the pancreas and liver, and lymph nodes.
ERCP
ERCP is a procedure that enables your physician to examine the pancreatic and bile ducts. A bendable, lighted tube (endoscope) about the thickness of your index finger is placed through your mouth and into your stomach and first part of the small intestine (duodenum). In the duodenum a small opening is identified (ampulla) and a small plastic tube (cannula) is passed through the endoscope and into this opening. Dye (contrast material) is injected and X-rays are taken to study the ducts of the pancreas and liver.
Esophageal Manometry
Esophageal manometry is an outpatient test used to identify problems with movement and pressure in the esophagus that may lead to problems like heartburn. The esophagus is the "food pipe" leading from the mouth to the stomach. Manometry measures the strength and muscle coordination of your esophagus when you swallow
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to examine the rectum and the lower (sigmoid) colon. The flexible sigmoidoscope is a flexible tube 60 cm long and about the thickness of your little finger. It is inserted gently into the anus and advanced slowly into the rectum and the lower colon. It is an accurate and simple method of investigating the cause of rectal bleeding, change in bowel habit, and rectal symptoms such as pain and diarrhea.
FibroScan
Fibroscan is a non-invasive test that helps assess the health of your liver. Specifically, it uses ultrasound technology to determine the degree of fibrosis or scarring that may be present in your liver from various liver diseases or conditions. This information is then used by your gastroenterologist to individualize and optimize your treatment plan. For some patients, Fibroscan can replace liver biopsy.
Infusion Therapy
Medications delivered by intravenous administration are one way of treating a number of disorders and are referred to as Infusion Therapy. These are often delivered through infusion centers who have the responsibility to appropriately mix and administer the medications, while nursing staff continually monitor patients throughout the infusion. Infusion therapy can treat a wide variety of disorders. Within gastrology and hepatology, infusions are often used to treat ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
Liver Biopsy
To understand this procedure, it is helpful to know some upper intestinal tract anatomy. It starts with the food tube or esophagus. This organ moves food down to the stomach with sweeping muscle contractions. At the lower end of the esophagus is a specialized muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).
Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is an endoscopic medical procedure in which a tube (PEG tube) is passed into a patient's stomach through the abdominal wall, most commonly to provide a means of feeding when oral intake is not adequate.
Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy
Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is the endoscopic equivalent of surgical myotomy and a newer technique for the management of achalasia. POEM utilizes the principles of submucosal endoscopy to transform the submucosal layer in the esophagus and proximal stomach into a tunnel, through which esophageal and gastric myotomy are carried out using a flexible endoscope.
Upper GI Endoscopy
This test is ordered by your GI doctor to evaluate the upper portion of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The upper GI tract includes the esophagus, stomach and the first part of the small intestine called the duodenum. Your doctor will use a flexible, slender camera scope to evaluate this area.
Upper GI Endoscopy with Bravo
This test is ordered by your GI provider to evaluate the upper portion of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and to place a special capsule in your esophagus that monitors acid reflux. This capsule will communicate wirelessly to a small recorder that you will wear during the test. At the end of the test, the small capsule falls off by itself and is eliminated, and you only have to return the recorder.
Prep Instructions
See how to prepare for your procedure and download detailed instructions.
All Procedures
- Capsule Endoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Endoscopic Mucosal Resection
- Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection
- Endoscopic Ultrasound
- ERCP
- Esophageal Manometry
- Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
- Fibroscan
- Infusion Therapy
- Liver Biopsy
- Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy
- Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy
- Upper GI Endoscopy
- Upper GI Endoscopy /w Bravo